Because of the great love of God and the incredible, indescribable sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we can say with confidence, “Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings” (Hebrews 10:22). For the faithful, it is greatly encouraging to read these words and bolster the Hope in Christ we have: “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful” (10:23).
There is a twist, though. How do we interpret: “If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth” (10:26)? Is it possible to receive Christ and keep on sinning, even lose our salvation? No. This is not what is being offered here. This is a strong statement to those who hear the gospel, but reject it, even mock Christ in the process. Not for us to avenge, but remember that “It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (10:31).
“But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved” (10:39). We always have a choice in this life. Lord I pray that I choose wisely at each intersection, every interaction. Guide my thoughts, my actions, my words. Let me be among those who do not shrink back, “not giving up meeting together” (10:25a) and always, always “encouraging one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (10:25b). This is the group I want to be associated with…for your benefit.
Because of the great love of God and the incredible, indescribable sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we can say with confidence, “Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings” (Hebrews 10:22). For the faithful, it is greatly encouraging to read these words and bolster the Hope in Christ we have: “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful” (10:23).
There is a twist, though. How do we interpret: “If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth” (10:26)? Is it possible to receive Christ and keep on sinning, even lose our salvation? No. This is not what is being offered here. This is a strong statement to those who hear the gospel, but reject it, even mock Christ in the process. Not for us to avenge, but remember that “It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (10:31).
“But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved” (10:39). We always have a choice in this life. Lord I pray that I choose wisely at each intersection, every interaction. Guide my thoughts, my actions, my words. Let me be among those who do not shrink back, “not giving up meeting together” (10:25a) and always, always “encouraging one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (10:25b). This is the group I want to be associated with…for your benefit.